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H. H. GRAIGIE.

Diaphragm-Valve for Water-Tanks, 8vo.

Patented Nov. 12

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

HUGH H. GRAIGIFLAOVF STAMFCRD, CONNECTICUT, AssIGNoR To JULIA Cantoni, or SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN. DIAPHRAGM-VALVES FOR WATER-TANKS, 8er).

Spm'iliralinu fin-ming part ofLetiers lntent No. 209,867,1lut1-d November 1:2, i878; applvaiiun lilml August 5, 19754..

4To Il whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, HUGH H. URAIGIE, of Stamford, Fairfield county, Connecticut, have invented acortain new and useful Improvement in Diaphragm-Valves for eter-Tanks, Src., of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that elassof float valves designed to regulate the supply of water to water-closets or tanks in which the float, instead ot' acting directly iu the discharge oriiee of the valve, act-s to open or close a small water-vent, which confines or releases the wate1-pressure above a exible diaphragm, the consequent movement of which seats or unseats an independent valve which controls the discharge-orifice, and thus delivers amore rapid supply; and the object of my invention is to produce a valve of this class which, while being simple, shallpossess greater eiciency, durability, and seusitiveness.

To this end my invention may be stated t0 consist in the arrangement ot' the diaphragm between two annular supporting plates or ledges having-a central aperture, which permits the movement of the valvestem, in connection with disks upon the valve-stem, between'which the center of the diaphragm is clamped, which disks enter and exactly coineide with the apertures of the supportingledges when the diaphragm is at either end of its stroke, so as to present a solid support to the entire surface of the diaphragm when at rest at each end of its stroke, and thus prevent its rupture or penetration by the pressure of the water.

The invention also consists in a tubular valve-stem connecting the diaphragm and disk-valve, and in a counterbalaneing upward ly-aeting spring actuating the valve-stem t0 t l, or through. the main discharge-branch of of the valve, andindicates the planes on which the sectional views are taken.

As shown in the drawings, d represents the. shank or neck of the valve, which forms the waterinlct, and which is connected with the water-supply pipe in the usual mannerof inaking such connections. From thc top ofthe neck the body expands into a bulb, b, in which the main operative parts are inclosed, and which is covered by a screw-cap, I. A is a flexible diaphragm, which extends across the cavity of the bulb about centrally thereof', dividing the cavity into an upper and lower cham ber, c d. This diaphragm is held at its circumference between an annular ledge, l), which projects circumferentially into the interior of the bulb, and a concave annular plate, E, which is screwed down upon the diaphragm to clamp it against the ledge, the inner side of the bulb being screw-threaded to receive the said annular plate, and also the screw-capl I., as shown. 4

The center of the diaphragm is secured to a tubular valvestem, B, which is arranged centrally in the cavity of the valve, and is guided atthe bottom by a cross-bar, e, in the neck a., and at the top by arms f on the 'annular plate E. The aperture g of the neck e, where it enters 'the base of the bulb b, is ground to form a valve-seat, on which the disk @which forms the disch argevalve, is adapted to tightly seat itself'. This disk is preferably formed of strong sole-leather, and is fixed centrally on the tubular stem B below the diaphragm A, as shown. The water tlms finds access through the apertures g under the valvedisk C to the lower chamber, d, of the bulb below the diaphragm A., and it escapes there. from into the tank `in a large volume by a lat eral branch, h, which forms the discharge ot' the valve; A smaller stream of water, however, `rises from beneath the valve-disk C through the bore of the tubular stem B to the upper chamber of the bulb above the diaphragm A, from which it linds lateral escape through the small vents lc m, the latter of which-is controlled by the usual float a.

Now, supposing, as indicated in Fi g. 1, that Vthe water'- level ot' the tank has fallen, the

vent m has become opened, the diaphragm has risen to the topof its stroke, andthe dischargevalve C consequently raised from its seat, theY water will accordingly rise through the aperture g, pass through thc chamber c, and rush in a large volume from the main discharge h, while, atythc same time, a smaller stream will find its way into the upper chamberc through the bore of the .tubular valve-stem B, and escape therefrom by the vents L' m. This double flow will thus continue till the float has risen sufficient-ly to cheek the iiow from the vent/m., when the waterpressure, becoming thereby confined above the diaphragm, while.the main discharge yet finds free escape below it without exerting any upward pressure thereon, the water will therefore accumulate in the upper chamber, and, acting upon the comparatively large surface of the diaphragm, will depress the same with hydraulic positiveness, and thus force the discharge-valve C tight upon its seat g, and thus completely shut off the flow to the tank, as indicated in Fig. 2. The iiow will thus remain checked till the water=level of the tank again falls, when, the pressure above the diaphragm being thus relieved byfinding free escape through the opened vent m, the upward pressure on the valve-disk C will then preponderatc, un seat the valve, and raise the diaphragm, and thus permit the discharge to again take place, which will be again checked in the same *mannen when the float again rises.

The valve-stein B is fitted with a light spring,

E, n'liichhas a gentle upward action, which acts auxiliary to the upward water-pressureto raise the diaphragm A and open the valve C, and it serves to counterbalance or neutralize the weight of the valve-stem and its attachments, thus rendering the diaphragm very sensitive to the waterpressure,this feature being more particularly desirable' where the supply of water is under but slight head or pressure, as it makes the action of the valve more certain.

The diaphragm A is preferably constructed of iiexible leather-that is, thin oak sole or belt leather or strong upper-leather--as this material is admirably adapted for the purpose ot'a diaphragm-valve, not only being cheap,

but possessing the most perfect flexibility, as 'when theleather becomes wet its movementsv occur withoutany resistance, and this imparts great ease and sensitiveness to the motion of the valve. Moreover, the leather has no tendency to stickl 'tfthe metallic surfaces of the valve, and has no corrosive affinity therefor,

as is vthe case with rubber, which, .vhile'beingV more expensive, is less exible, has ya strong tendency to stick to the metal surfaces, and 'has such a corrosive affinity for the brass of the valve as tobecome quickly destroyed thereby. A

l The diaphragm, at either end of its stroke, is supported, as already described, at its circumference by theannular ledge D and annular plate E, which are stationary, while the center of ytherdiaphragm is supported by ceu tral disks I H ou the valve-stem B, between which it is clamped. These disks correspond to and exactly tit the central aperture of the annular supports D E, through which the valve-stem. moves, so that when the diaphragm arrives at either `end of its stroke the disks enter and exactly fill the central aperture, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and this coincidence of the annular and central support thus prescnts a continuous surface, upon which the diaphragm cushions itself, and receives the solid support which effectually prevents the pressure of the water rupturing or penetrating the same. Hence a very liexible, light, and easily-movable material may be usedto form the diaphragm without any danger of injury thereto, and by this means the advantages of greater sensitiveness, ease' of motion, etticiency, anddurabilitywhich are claimed for the improved valve are obtained.

Where strong rubber diaphragm's have been employed heretofore they have been liable, from the defective support furnished thereto, to rupture by the pressure of the water, which has constituted a serious objection to this class of valves; but by means of my construction comparatively weak and delicate materials may be used without damage, and hence this construction and arrangementof the diaphragm is considered an important improvement in this class of valves.

My improved valve may be used for water- Ycloset Ytanks or for water-tanks generally, or

may be attached directly to the Water-closets in that class known as plug-closets, which contain a rescr-voirof water attached to the bowl, or' may be used for any other similar purpose for which it is adapted.

What 1 claim as my invention is 1. In a diaphragm-valve, the combination of a float or valve, n, governing a dischargeorifice above the diaphragm, and a valve-disk, C, governing a discharge-orifice below the diaphragm, with the movable actuating-.diaphragm A, constructed of flexible leather, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

2. In. a diaphragm-valve, a movable diaphragm, A, supported at its circumference by a -fixed `annular plate or plates, D E, and at its center by a movable central disk or disks` I H, which, lat the end of the diaphragms stroke, coincide and present a continuous surface and solid support, on which thcdiaphragm becomes cushioned and protected from the pressurel of the Water, substantially as herein shown and described. o'

3. The combination, in a diaphragm-valve, l

of the actuating-diaphragm A, dividing the valvecavity into upper and lower pressure chambers, a valve-disk, C, controlling the admission of the pressure below the diaphragm, with a tubular valvestem, 15,011 which the said diaphragm and disk are sustained, and which conveys the wat 'er-pressure from ben cath the said disk to the chamber above'the diaphragm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a diaphragm-valve, the combination of the actuating diaphragm A and the disk C, which controls the admission of water below the diaphragm, with `the auxiliary spring F, acting upwardly on the diaphragm and.

valve to counterbalance the weight thereof,

and thus assist the unseatng ofthe valve and i render the diaphragm more sensitive to the water-pressure, substantially as set forth.

' HUGH H. CBAIGIE. Witnesses:

CEAS. M. HIGGINS, W. E. C. SMITH. 

